The proposed Pellissippi Wetland Park is located in heart of Lebanon, Virginia, county seat for Russell County. The site is immediately adjacent to the Russell County Government Center as well as a proposed farmer's market and Veteran's Memorial. Northrup Grummon and CGI offices border the western edge of the side, while a new residential development lies immediately to the north of the site. The park is in walking distance from Lebanon Primary, Elementary, and Middle Schools as well as the Russell County Library. Opportunities for connectivity within the community are great.

The project site is approximately 5 to 7 acres. The land was deemed unfit for development, allowing the Russell County Industrial Development Authority to lease the land to the Town of Lebanon for environmental education and recreation purposes.

The project site and its surrounding context lie within the Clinch River Watershed. Water from Pellissippi Wetland Park enters the Clinch River via Little Cedar Creek. The park aims to offer educational opportunities to residents and visitors related to environmental stewardship, environmental functions and diversity, and low impact development. It also aims to improve the quality of the water that passes through its boundaries before it enters the Clinch River.

A team of educators, local officials, and agency experts were asked to participate in the Pellissippi Wetland Park project team to guide the design development, funding, and implementation of the park. Patrick Smith, an Office of Surface Mining Volunteer in Service to America (OSM/VISTA) intern was brought in to coordinate this effort. The project team contacted the Community Design Assistance Center to request conceptual design assistance for the park site. Goals for the park include:

- Preserve and Enhance Existing Natural Areas on the Site

- Increase Positive Environmental Functions on the Site

- Provide Opportunities for Environmental Education

- Ensure Accessibility (ADA) and Connectivity to the Broader Community

- Increase Habitat and Biodiversity

- Offer Opportunities for Passive Recreation

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Virginia. Department of Forestry

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Urban and Community Forestry grant

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64 leaves : ill., maps, plans

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application/pdf

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Virginia Tech. Community Design Assistance Center

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In Copyright (InC)

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